2007 BMW 3 Series: fire, smoke or burning smell

Filed Dec 18, 2018 · Electrical, Engine · 100,000 miles · CA · fire

I was going between 30 and 35 MPH through city streets at roughly 3am on my way back from my commute which is roughly 60 miles. I noticed it started to smell like burning plastic and immediately after smoke was visible coming from hood vents, I parked the car as soon as I could and popped the hood and the heat cover for the hood was on fire along with most other components in the engine bay. My friend immediately called 911 for assistance as I ran and tried to warn neighbors , within 7 minutes the car was completely chard. No maitnance lights were on and nothing seemed to be a problem. The two recalls I never received both would explan this incedent the federal safety agency campaign number: 17v683000 the federal safety agency campaign number: 17v676000

Filed Jan 16, 2018 · Electrical · CA

When driving, the smell of burning or melting plastic is so strong, I have to roll down the windows. The smell occurs about 5 times a week and can be smelled both inside and outside the car. It occurs at various times...on the freeway, on surface streets, stopped at a red light etc. There is a safety recall, for positive crankcase ventilation(pcv) valve heater, but they don't have a plan or method of fixing this. Since it can lead to a fire, it needs to be fixed, but the dealership has no information about even how to fix the problem. The website and letter tells you to call the local dealership but they tell you to contact bmw north america, however they don't answer the phone. The service supervisor at the local bmw dealer ship in glendale ca has not returned my messages and the number they refer me to, bmw north america at 800.831.1117 just keeps ringing...no answer. I don't feel safe inhaling the plastic fumes and it could lead to my car catching on fire. Bmw needs toanswer questions and provide customer service rather than referring me to advertisements to purchase a new bmw. (that is what happens on their "recall" website). I would like them to provide a car and keep my car at the dealership until they figure this out. I think they would find a solution very quickly if they had to provide alternator transportation. Thank you for your help!

Filed Jan 26, 2015 · Seats · 81,201 miles · CO · fire

On a very cold day, I got into my car, and turned on the seat heater on the drivers side of my x3. I smelled something burning and the side of my waist felt hot as if I was on fire. I realized that it must be the seat heater so I immediately turned it off. I stopped my car, got out and noticed my coat had been burnt. I noticed a burned hole on the side of my seat, in which was the cause of my coat catching fire.

Filed Dec 8, 2014 · Engine · 93,000 miles · NY

Burning smell in cabin. Changed cabin air filter without any improvement. Dealer. Oil from valve cover gasket leakage is an issue in this model. Did internet research. Apparently not uncommon at all to have this problem. This is a health hazard-smoke inhalation and also a fire hazard. I contacted bmw corporate office and was told this can happen. No further information given.

Filed Aug 14, 2012 · Electrical, Locks · 68,000 miles · PA

Doors will not unlock or open. I was literally trapped inside my car in a parking lot. Drove vehicle home, had to put down window and have someone use valet key at my house to open the driver door. None of the other three passenger doors can be unlocked. Luckily no passengers in my vehicle. Was told there is a tsb related to this, however it is not recognized as a safety issue. Cannot understand how this is considered "safe" when if my vehicle was on fire and I had my children in their car seats in the back seat, there would be no way to open the doors to get them out. Bmw is aware that the actuators are pulling too much current through the fuses and that the actuators need replaced. They are making tons of money off of charging people to repair this known problem as this is not something you can avoid having repaired unless you are willing to gamble on your own life or those of family/friends who may be in your vehicle when this occurs. There really needs to be a safety recall on this issue before someone loses their life as a result. I find it quite absurd that the federal safety agency does not recognize this. Does someone need to die for this to be remedied? Just because I drive a used bmw does not mean I have the money to have this repaired, yet I've got two very young children who ride in the backseat of this car on a daily basis. Looking at the number of complaints that have already been filed, obviously it appears that neither bmw nor the federal safety agency seem to care about my safety, my family's safety or that of any of the other thousands of bmw owners who are having the same issue.

Filed Mar 18, 2012 · Electrical, Steering · 65,000 miles · CA

My 2007 bmw 335i became very hard to steer during a drive down a steep grade. A battery not charging error would appear on dash shortly after... Here is what happened. While driving down a steep hill and needing to break hard on a turn to avoid hitting a dead animal on the road I smelled burning rubber and then heard a noise this noise I discovered later in the day was my power steering belt breaking. I lost all power steering went off the road out off control due to lose of power steering and almost hit a bike rider and came very close to going off the side of road. Later that day I decided to google my problem and see if there would be an easy fix to this problem. I discovered there is not an easy fix for a broken belt on my modal of car. I discovered this is common on many bmw models and bmw is aware of it see sib 11-09-08. I quickly discovered that I am not the only owner out there with this problem. There are many others. Bmw knows of the problem and has not recalled any cars. There documentation of the problem is under sib 11-09-08. I will be bringing my car back to dealer to have this problem resolve and hope they follow the sib 11-09-08 which notes new style sub frame replacement will be required. I believe an investigation needs to be made regarding power steering belts breaking. These belts should not be breaking under the condition I was driving and should be considered a major safety issue. I hope to see this resolved soon before someone is killed. At this time I don't feel the car will be safe to drive.

Filed Feb 12, 2012 · Brakes, Electrical · 45,000 miles · PR · fire

After being service by dealer for 4 days which included the replacement of right headlight and ABS and brake system the car caught fire which seem to be related to electrical system. While driving the car heavy toxic smoke started coming out of ventilator of AC system. I immediately step out of the car and in a few minutes smoke and flames located in the engine in front of passenger seat burn the car. Flames and black plastic were coming also under the glove compartment right in front of passenger seat. Dealer quoted $25000 for repair and insurance company declared it total loss. Car was delivered to dealer who has kept it for a month, engineer from bmw north america came and inspected but no report has been issued by them or dealer. This company has no concern for safety of consumers and should be penalize. After having owned six bmw's I feel these autos are not safe.